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Episode

39

David Albert

Pioneering digital technology to promote health and longevity

Dr. David Albert is a visionary physician and innovator in the field of digital health. As an entrepreneur he has developed medical products and nurtured new technologies over the last 30 years. A graduate of Harvard College and Duke University Medical School, Dr. Albert has founded three tech companies, InnovAlarm, Lifetone Technology and AliveCor, his most recent endeavor, which has developed the mobile ECG or electrocardiogram sensor. The Kardia mobile device, which is aimed at everyone, detects and analyzes heart rhythm with a simple sensor and mobile app. The ECG – sometimes referred to as EKG – is the electrical activity of the heartbeat and the data could help to detect signs of heart disease. In this in-depth interview, recorded at the USC Center for Body Computing Conference, Dr Albert explains his vision for future medical technology, which he says has the potential to impact disease, aging and enhance human longevity.

“My friend Dr. Eric Topol talks about the end of paternalistic medicine and his book, his most recent book, was The Patient Will See You Now. That’s exactly the attitude we need to have.”

“Peace of mind is often times as important as a piece of medical information. Anxiety and stress impact our lives, impact our longevity.”

“Eat less cow, eat more like a cow.”

“My wife and I go out to dinner we split one entree. We’ve learned to be sensible in our lives.”

“I shame my children in their work out habits and that’s had a positive impact on them. I think we can all have an impact on our fellow man and whether or not I live a year longer or not, the quality of my life will be better and I think that’s key. You know it’s not just longevity it’s quality.”

“You can have a direct impact with your lifestyle on your longevity and on your functional longevity, that is your quality of life, at an older age.”

“Whether it’s a device like mine for people who are worried who have a family history or who even have manifested disease. You can take control of your life and do better.”

“I look forward to working at my own pace on my own schedule well into my 70s and I can’t see being engaged or unemployed until I’m at least 75 years old.”

“I’ve seen it in medicine where we have the technological ability to keep people living long past the time that they they would like to be living. So that’s why quality of life is so important live along quality life not just a long life.”

“I think we have to look socially respond in a socially responsible manner to say make sure you’re not just prolonging a life that’s not lived.”

“Affluence impacts longevity anywhere in the world so if you are more affluent you will live longer. Now that’s the kind of discrimination that I think we have to work to fight.”

“Knowing facts is not nearly as important as being able to adapt to a changing environment and being able to continuously learn.”